Ultra Tour de Matlock Bath (UTMB), 29 miles, 4500ft

For some reason, I've never really done anything over 3 hours from Belper. I suppose if I normally want a hard run we pile in the car and head up to Edale etc.

Edale was the original plan today until the spell of wintry weather hit us on Friday, leaving small roads pretty unpassable. Plan B was quickly hatched and having a quick look at the map yesterday to cobble together a 5 hour plus run, Saul, Graham n me have created a new local classic! It was proper hard - at least comparable to the Long Tour of Bradwell I think ? We were predominantly on paths not tracks like a lot of Ultras and needless to say the amount of tarmac was absolutely minimal.

Starting from Belper at the bottom, we went Clockwise

The weather just made it even more fun.

Saul and Graham yacking just after Bonsall

Thanks for a great morning guys, I'm not sure if we'll ever repeat this but I think we should at some point. Would make a cracking night run !!

Graham Sheep Bothering at Wakebridge

Peak Pits Fell Race

well, it's hardly a fell race, but it's certainly always tougher underfoot than any cross country race you'd ever find.  My first race for 6 months + and didn't I know it ! Quite out of shape after xmas but thought I'd better kick start this year as I mean to go on.

Nice to see so many Belper Harriers out and Lewis had a great time doing the under 8's race (just under 1km) and finishing 6th.

Peak Pits Fell Race route - starting top left by road, over to old hostel the down to lake and back up. Times 2!

I finished 8th out of 140 odd and not one single second felt pleasant! Lots of people losing shoes in the mud it was that bad in places. A few nasty climbs too, but loved all 37 mins 11 secs of it!

Results here